Trainer Hal Wiggins, who plans to retire at the end of November, is the recipient of the 2009 Warner L. Jones Jr. Horseman of the Year Award given by the Kentucky Thoroughbred Owners.
Wiggins, who trained Rachel Alexandra to victory in the grade I Kentucky Oaks this year before the filly was privately sold, will be honored Nov. 21 at the Big Spring Country Club in Louisville. The dinner begins at 6 p.m. EST.
Wiggins, 66, began training Thoroughbreds and Quarter Horses in Louisiana in 1975 but later moved to Kentucky. He has won about 870 races in his career. Along with Rachel Alexandra, other prominent horses trained by Wiggins include millionaire Chorwon, Morris Code, and Leo’s Gypsy Dancer.
The KTO Horseman of the Year Award as inaugurated in 1989. Previous winners are:
2008 Brereton C. Jones
2007 Carl Nafzger
2006 Tom Meeker
2005 John Asher
2004 Ken and Sarah Ramsey
2003 Dale Romans
2002 Ken McPeek
2001 Jennie Rees
2000 James E. “Ted” Bassett III
1999 Williams S. Farish
1998 Elliott Walden
1997 Jim Bolus
1996 Allen R. Paulson
1995 D. Wayne Lukas
1994 William T. Young
1993 MacKenzie “MacK” Miller
1992 Pat Day
1991 Woody Stephens
1990 Arthur B. Hancock III
1989 Claude “Shug” McGaughey III